SECTT

25/08/2026

It was an absolute pleasure recently visiting the teams at Tullos Training Centre and NESCOL Aberdeen! As SECTT's Training Development Manager, it's always brilliant to get out and see the fantastic work being done on the ground. I was particularly impressed with the new workshops at NESCOL and had the privilege of meeting some of the enthusiastic new apprentices just kicking off their electrical journey. It’s genuinely inspiring to see their eagerness and potential.

What truly struck me during the visits was how both centres are really embracing 'meta skills' alongside the vital technical training. These are the adaptable, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities that empower our apprentices to navigate challenges, innovate, and thrive throughout their careers. It's a testament to a forward-thinking approach that goes beyond just the tools and wires, preparing them for a dynamic future.

We at SECTT are incredibly proud to support these budding electricians and the centres that nurture their talent.

13/08/2026

It was a real pleasure to welcome Angela Ross MSP to SECTT and have the opportunity to talk to her about the work we do supporting Scotland’s electrical installation apprentices, adult trainees and employers.

Angela took the time to hear from our CEO Fiona Harper and Training & Development Manager Barrie McKay about our work and some of the opportunities and challenges facing the electrotechnical sector as we look to the future.

With growing demand across housing, infrastructure and renewables, Scotland is going to need a highly skilled electrical workforce - and apprenticeships will be absolutely fundamental to delivering that.

At SECTT, we currently support more than 3,500 apprentices and adult trainees, working with over 1,500 employers and 22 approved training centres and colleges across Scotland.

Visits like this really matter. They give us the opportunity to share what is happening on the ground, highlight the needs of our apprentices and employers, and make the case for continued investment in high-quality skills and training.

A huge thank you to Angela for giving us her time, asking some really thoughtful questions and taking such a genuine interest in our work.

We look forward to continuing the conversation and working together to champion Scotland’s apprentices and the electrotechnical workforce of the future. ⚡

04/08/2026

Well done to everyone receiving their exam results today! 👏

It’s easy to feel like this is the finish line, but we truly believe it’s actually the starting grid for an electric future. ⚡️

Our CEO, Fiona, has written an insightful piece for The National Newspaper today, exploring why exam results could spark an incredibly exciting new direction for young people.

In her article, Fiona encourages everyone to keep an open mind as they consider their next steps. She highlights the fantastic opportunities within the electrotechnical trade and shares why an apprenticeship can be the start of something exciting, lucrative, and an integral part of building a brighter, electric future – for them, by them.

Read the article here: https://archive.ph/VRXPx

👷‍♀️👷‍♂️What are your thoughts on encouraging more young people into skilled trades? We’d love to hear your perspective in the comments! 👇

31/07/2026

We asked electrical employers across Scotland for their honest views on SECTT — from recruitment and onboarding to communication and support. 178 of you took the time to answer, honestly and in detail.

Here's some of what came back:

⚡ Employers who have recruited through SECTT rate us 8.6 out of 10 for likelihood to recommend
⚡ 81% say the guidance on apprenticeship standards was clear
⚡ Just 8% see paperwork and admin as a barrier — the lowest-scoring barrier in the whole survey
⚡ 103 employers told us they're interested in taking on an apprentice

One employer put it like this: "The support is always there if needed, and access to the OneFile portal allows me to keep an eye on how the apprentices are progressing."

You also highlighted areas where we can do better, particularly around funding guidance. We've heard it and, not only will we be answering those questions here over the coming weeks, we’ll also be taking them to government to ensure they hear exactly how you feel.

Thinking about taking on an apprentice? We’d love to hear from you. Speak to your Training Officer or get in touch with .

31/07/2026

With exam results due next week, it's worth school-leavers and their families knowing that an apprenticeship isn't a fallback — it's a first-choice route. The electrotechnical industry offers 3-5 years of paid, structured training, a recognised qualification at the end of it, and work that isn't going anywhere. Well worth a look before anyone rules it out.

As school-leavers across Scotland prepare to receive their exam results next week, SELECT, the SJIB and SECTT have once again urged them to consider an apprenticeship as the first step to a “green, AI-proof and truly rewarding” career in the electrotechnical industry. Read more here👉 https://bit.ly/exam-results-electrical-industry

17/07/2026

CEO of The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) Fiona Harper, is incredibly proud to congratulate Lee McLean, Rhys Howey and Ryan Whitford, who have secured their places in the SkillELECTRIC UK Final after outstanding performances in the Scottish competition.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Representing communities from across Scotland, their success is a testament not only to their own talent and dedication, but also to the strength of Scotland’s electrical installation apprenticeship.

🤝 At the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), we work alongside 22 colleges and more than 1,500 employers to deliver a consistent, high-quality training programme that gives every apprentice the opportunity to succeed, wherever they are based.

We’re incredibly proud of;

⚡ Lee McLean – ADLIB Audio Ltd / Fife College (Dunfermline)
⚡ Rhys Howey – W P Purves Electrical Ltd / Borders College (Duns)
⚡ Ryan Whitford – N G Bailey / NESCOL Aberdeen (Aberdeen)

⭐️ The talented trio will now represent Scotland at the SkillELECTRIC UK Final at Bridgend College this November as part of the WorldSkills UK National Finals.

🍀 Good luck we’ll be cheering you on all the way!

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09/07/2026

SECTT are pleased to announce that the eight SkillELECTRIC competitors who scored most highly across the recent national qualifying heats have been named as this year's UK finalists:

⭐ Jessica Lott – UCS College Group (Bridgwater) / Jowett & Jowett
⭐ Lee McLean – SECTT / Adlib Audio Ltd
⭐ Rhys Howey – SECTT / WP Purves
⭐ Ryan Whitford – SECTT / NG Bailey & Co Ltd
⭐ Sam Chadderton – Hopwood Hall College / Isolate Electrical
⭐ Scott Drew – HM Royal Engineers
⭐ Tanvir Singh – Leicester College / C&B Electrical
⭐ Will Boyer – Blackburn College / Paul Wilson Electrical and Renewable Energy Solutions

All have been invited to take part in the SkillELECTRIC UK Final being held at Bridgend College across the week of 16th November.
Alongside SkillELECTRIC, around 50 other WorldSkills national competition finals will be taking place that week across venues around South Wales, involving over 400 competitors.

SkillELECTRIC is organised by National Electrotechnical Training (NET) and is part of the WorldSkills UK competition framework. The competition has Electric Center, the NICEIC and Click Scolmore as its delivery partners and is supported by Megger, EAL, Snickers Workwear and Rolec.

To be crowned SkillELECTRIC champion, competitors will have to excel in a complex two-day practical installation task, including a demanding electrical circuit and EV charging unit, completed to a strict timescale and assessed against rigorous marking criteria.
Those who perform well enough and are age eligible could be in with a chance of representing the UK in the Electrical Installation competition at WorldSkills 2028 in Aichi, Japan.

"Congratulations to this year's SkillELECTRIC finalists. The quality of work throughout the qualifying heats was excellent, so finishing in the top eight from a field of more than 100 competitors is a tremendous achievement," said Jennie Phung of NET. "The benchmark is now set, and the finalists begin preparing for the UK Final in November. NET is proud to support each competitor with further training and development as they continue their journey towards becoming the UK's next SkillELECTRIC champion."

A great result for SECTT and the training carried out by our approved centre partners. Good luck to all competitors.

09/07/2026

🏆 Congratulations Connor! 🏆
Everyone at SECTT is delighted to congratulate Connor Sinclair of Ness Engineering Ltd on winning the Best 2nd Year Electrical Installation Apprentice award at the 2026 Annual Awards Ceremony at Tullos Training.

This achievement is a testament to Connor’s dedication, hard work and commitment to developing his skills within Scotland’s electrical industry. We are proud to sponsor this category and to celebrate the outstanding talent and professionalism demonstrated by apprentices across Scotland.

Well done, Connor – a fantastic accomplishment and a well-deserved recognition of your efforts. We wish you every success as you continue your apprenticeship journey and progress in your career.

👏 Join us in congratulating Connor on this excellent achievement!
Engineering Ltd Scotland .scot

📸 Connor Sinclair (Ness Engineering Ltd), winner of the Best 2nd Year Electrical Installation Apprentice award, sponsored by SECTT.

02/07/2026

Here at SECTT, we recently had the immense privilege of collaborating with key local employers in Stornoway, alongside esteemed staff from UHI, at a significant 2026 toolbox event. This gathering underscored a collective dedication to the future of electrical training in Scotland, focusing on how our SECTT manifesto supports and strengthens the vocational pathway for aspiring electricians. It was truly inspiring to witness the unwavering local commitment to empowering the next generation and ensuring they receive the highest standard of industry-approved training. We firmly believe that such strong community partnerships are paramount to fostering a skilled workforce across the nation, driving progress and innovation within the electrical sector. This collaborative spirit, evident in Stornoway, is exactly what propels us forward in our mission to empower tomorrow's electricians.

Photo: Sharon Miller (SELECT Managing Director Designate) with Employers - Lewis builders, Alex Murray Construction, Ally MacLeod Electrical, A Campbell electrical services, O’Mac Construction, and Northwestern Electrical with Ally MacLeod form UHI NWH Stornoway and David Stebbings the SECTT Training Officer.

29/06/2026

🔔 Adult Training Scheme Update — 2026
Adult Trainees could become eligible for their F**A after two and a half years.

Previously, Adult Trainees needed a minimum of one year of site-related work experience in Stage 3. However, that has now been reduced to six months — meaning the path to the Final Integrated Competence Assessment is shorter for eligible Adult Trainees.

All other eligibility criteria still apply:
✅ Completion of the Inspection and Testing week
✅ On-site e-portfolios for Stage 3 completed
✅ Employer sign-off confirmed

That last point matters. The decision to put an Adult Trainee forward for F**A always rests with the employer. It's a requirement of the scheme — not a formality.

What this means by start year:
• Started 2024? You're eligible for the full benefit — F**A at the earliest opportunity the training scheme allows.
• Started 2023? You'll have the opportunity to finish a few months earlier than your original expected date.

For employers with Adult Trainees approaching Stage 3, now is a good time to review where they are and whether the updated timeline opens up an earlier finish date.

Any questions? Get in touch with your SECTT Training Officer.

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